Nitrate

The Joy of Painting

  • TV-G
  • 1983–1994
  • 31 seasons
  • Family, Documentary
  • 8.5

We don’t make mistakes, we just have happy accidents.

The Joy of Painting was an American television show hosted by painter Bob Ross that taught its viewers techniques for landscape oil painting. Although Ross could complete a painting in half an hour, the intent of the show was not to teach viewers "speed painting". Rather, he intended for viewers to learn certain techniques within the time that the show was allotted. The show began on January 11, 1983, and lasted until May 17, 1994, a year before Ross' death.

Episodes

Season 18 of The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross features the following wonderful painting instructions: Half-Oval Vignette, Absolutely Autumn, Mountain Seclusion, Crimson Oval, Autumn Exhibition, Majestic Peaks, Golden Morning Mist, Winter Lace, Seascape Fantasy, Double Oval Stream, Enchanted Forest, Southwest Serenity, and Rippling Waters.

13 episodes
  1. 1Half-Oval Vignette

    27 minJul 5, 1989

    Bob Ross illustrates the illusion of infinity as mountain and water fade into the distance, created in a lovely half-oval painting.

  2. 2Absolutely Autumn

    27 minJul 12, 1989

    Rich, soft colors prove that fall has arrived! Join Bob Ross as he paints a quiet pond and surrounding foliage preparing themselves for a season of slumber.

  3. 3Mountain Seclusion

    27 minJul 19, 1989

    Travel to a lonely hidden cabin in the frozen mountainous north country with Bob Ross -- another black canvas masterpiece to fall in love with.

  4. 4Crimson Oval

    27 minJul 26, 1989

    Shades of luscious red, lavender and gold surround a bubbling brook flowing through a serene oval painting by television’s favorite painter Bob Ross.

  5. 5Autumn Exhibition

    27 minAug 2, 1989

    Enjoy a casual stroll down the pathway overlooking a quiet pond and breathe in the cool crisp fall air! Bob Ross takes you through this magnificent season.

  6. 6Majestic Peaks

    27 minAug 9, 1989

    Join Bob Ross as he paints some of Nature’s most awesome creations – magnificent snow-covered mountains! Beauty you just have to experience.

  7. 7Golden Morning Mist

    27 minAug 16, 1989

    Stroll into the quiet stillness of early daybreak with Bob Ross as he captures the essence of a sun shrouded forest on canvas.

  8. 8Winter Lace

    27 minAug 23, 1989

    Snow-covered trees and shrubs appear to be dressed in finest lace among the soft glows of winter. A unique Bob Ross painting!

  9. 9Seascape Fantasy

    27 minAug 30, 1989

    Such magnificence in sky and sea! Watch the creative brushes of Bob Ross as he paints an ocean view of incredible beauty.

  10. 10Double Oval Stream

    27 minSep 6, 1989

    Bob Ross creates a gentle brook flowing from one oval to another, under the protective branches and foliage of stately birch trees.

  11. 11Enchanted Forest

    27 minSep 13, 1989

    Enjoy this fascinating experience of watching Bob Ross bring these deep dark woods alive; incredible magic on a partial black canvas.

  12. 12Southwest Serenity

    27 minSep 20, 1989

    Drink in the astonishing beauty of a spectacular desert as you ride down a well traveled road with the amazing brushes of Bob Ross.

  13. 13Rippling Waters

    27 minSep 27, 1989

    A gentle bubbling stream in the midst of the forest – Bob Ross invites you to share the serenity of Nature’s escape with this delightful painting.

Where to watch The Joy of Painting

Free with a library card

Sign in with your public library card

Buy

Pay once, keep it in your library

Availability from JustWatch, via TMDB. Full listing for United States

Series cast

Bob RossSelf - Host403 episodes
Steve RossHimself13 episodes
Dana JesterHimself3 episodes
Dorothy DentHerself1 episode
Diane AndréHerself1 episode
Audrey GoldenHerself1 episode
Joyce OrtnerHerself1 episode
Ferne SiroisHerself1 episode
Ben StahlHimself1 episode
John ThammHimself1 episode
Annette KowalskiHerself1 episode

More like thisShows TMDB viewers also watched